Khaqan Abbasi appears before NAB in LNG scandal
RAWALPINDI (92 News) – Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in liquefied natural gas (LNG) contract case.
As per details garnered, the anti-graft watchdog summoned Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to appear before the NAB in an ongoing probe pertaining to LNG the contract case. He was directed to take the LNG agreement with him during his appearance.
The sources said that Pakistan Muslim League-N leader was given questionnaire containing 70 questions. The NAB asked Abbasi that who approved the conditions of LNG agreement. The former premier was also asked that why the LNG contract was needed.
Earlier, the Rawalpindi National Accountability Bureau (NAB) summoned former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) scandal.
NAB summons Khaqan Abbasi for Feb 8
The case was registered on the complaint of Shahid Sattar, an energy expert and former member of the Planning Commission and the SSGC board of directors, along with others, accusing Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of misusing his authority and causing a potential $2bn loss to the national exchequer in 15 years.
NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal had approved an inquiry against Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for allegedly awarding a 15-year contract for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal against the rules when Abbasi was the petroleum minister in Nawaz’s cabinet.
In December 2016, the NAB had wrapped up an inquiry conducted for 17 months against Abbasi for his alleged role in awarding a Rs220 billion contract for the import and distribution of LNG in 2013.
The inquiry was stopped despite the fact that it had been proved that the contract had been awarded in a ‘non-transparent manner’. Earlier, former finance minister Muftah Ismail has recorded his statement before the NAB.
On 25 October 2018, the NAB reopened the LNG scandal against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The NAB has decided to summon the former premier for investigation. However, the NAB sought all records from the concerned ministries.
On September 10, 2018, the Supreme Court directed NAB to complete inquiry against former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others for alleged corruption in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) contract with Qatar and submitted report on it.
